Most
of it seems to have been said, as far as the caving goes anyway. But, There wasn’t just the caving. The Red Rose arrived almost
two by two. The first were Neil Pacey and Dick Wade,
who traveled overnight. We had thought it best as we didn’t know the way. We
reached Ystradgynlais at about 6am.,
having taken the long way round so as to cross the
We
reached the quarry, drive between two waste tips we had been told, we did, and
found ourselves overlooking the quarry with no way on. Still we spotted the
cottages. As it was only 8am ish and knowing cavers
habits we decided to return to the village and footle
around for a couple of hours. This we did, visiting some waterfall, very
impressive a 70ft fall I would think. We then returned to the SWCC hut and got
our heads down.
I
awoke to hear Jim Newton’s dulcet tones, Jim Farrar
and Bill Holden were with him. After we had settled in and eaten we were led to
the Copper Beech in (if the roadside sign was to be believed) Abercrap. Graham Leach really timed his arrival, just after
last orders.
Saturday
morning Graham and Bill enjoyed themselves winding up Jim Farrar and myself; I
thought they were exaggerating the Long Crawl. I learned my error as I was led,
innocent, into the thing, and then had to force my self through. As we were
coming out of the cave there was a party of the public, we knew that they were
there as there was a child screaming blue murder, we turned a corner and there
she was looking back over her fathers shoulder. As soon as she caught sight of
us she immediately became silent, whether with awe or pure terror was not
ascertained. That night we all enjoyed a well earned pint. Some supped more
enthusiastically than others. Jim Newton was heard to remark, as he returned to
the table bearing glasses that had contained pints before they left the bar;
“They’ve filled these too full.” Rumour has it that
night time entertainment was provided by Neil. I didn’t hear a thing, I slept the sleep of the exhausted and just. After
the two trips made on the Sunday we again visited the pub, Neil was offered
several pints by generous
Monday
the return home, an enjoyable weekend, but surprising and disappointing that so
few members took part.
Dick Wade.